Introduction

On 31 June 2017, the then Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon Will Hodgman MP, announced a review of the Aboriginal and Dual Naming Policy. The objectives of the Review are to provide recommendations to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and the Minister for Primary Industries and Water on any changes or improvements to the Policy to enhance inclusivity, procedural efficiency and broader promotion of the Policy. The following areas are being considered under the review:

  • parties who can nominate Aboriginal and dual name proposals;
  • requirements for authenticating Aboriginal and dual names;
  • the role of local Aboriginal groups and dual naming;
  • palawa kani and the use of other Tasmanian Aboriginal languages under the Policy;
  • the requirements for consultation under the Policy; and
  • replacing place names (including offensive names) with Aboriginal names.

On 30 November 2017, the then Minister for Aboriginal Affairs released an Issues Paper as the basis for public and stakeholder consultation on the Review. The Issues Paper provided background information on the Policy and identified issues associated with the Policy with accompanying questions.

The Issues Paper contained 12 questions identifying matters for consideration by the review. Tasmanian Aboriginals, Aboriginal community organisations and groups, Local government, interested parties, and members of the public were all invited and encouraged to participate and have their say on the Issues Paper. Written submissions were received and face-to-face meetings were held with interested groups. Public consultation closed on 22 December 2017 with 15 submissions being received (refer to Appendix 1).

This Consultation & Stakeholder Feedback Report summarises the responses to the questions outlined within the Issues Paper as well as key points raised during consultation. This Report should be read in conjunction with the Issues Paper.

Thank you to all individuals and organisations who read the Issues Paper and participated in the process by making a submission. The public submissions are available on the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s website www.dpac.tas.gov.au in accordance with the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Publication of submissions received by Tasmanian Government departments in response to consultation on major policy matters.

Disclosure about information contained in this Paper

This Report summarises the comments, suggestions and ideas outlined in the public submissions received. Some of the suggestions and responses contained in this Report were made and / or supported by multiple submissions, others were made in a single submission. The Report does not seek to support any particular idea or proposal, nor does it aim to show any preference for specific ideas. It aims to present propositions contained in the Issues Paper on the basis of comments received through the consultation process.

Next Steps:

It is proposed that a further round of stakeholder consultations occur to discuss the drafting of any proposed amendments or enhancements to the Policy.

These amendments would then form recommendations to be put forward to the Ministers.

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